Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has announced plans to offer special scholarships to indigenes who have memorized the Holy Qur’an and possess the necessary five O’level credits to pursue studies in Medicine or Nursing. This initiative was revealed during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement hosted by the state’s Bureau of Statistics, aimed at reforming the Almajiri and Islamiyya system of education.
According to Governor Radda, any eligible indigene who has memorized the Qur’an and meets the requirements can apply for the scholarship, which will cover the entire duration of their studies. Additionally, the state government will establish a competition for Qur’anic writers in Katsina through the Islamic Education Bureau.
The engagement, which brought together various stakeholders, sought to gather recommendations on how to effectively reform the Almajiri and Islamiyya system. Governor Radda emphasized the need for plausible solutions to address the issue of street begging in the region, urging stakeholders to provide maximum support to the government.
The governor assured Tsangaya school proprietors that the government would work closely with them to achieve the reform goals, aiming to enhance the teaching and learning of the Holy Qur’an. He noted that memorizers of the Qur’an can be considered akin to professors, and the enhanced system will provide opportunities for them to receive certification.
Earlier, Prof. Isah Ali-Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Innovation, recommended the inclusion of skills training in the system to enable Tsangaya school students to become self-reliant and reduce street begging. Other speakers, including Prof. Mansir Ibrahim-Sokoto and Sheikh Nasir Dahiru-Bauchi, suggested upgrading the Islamic education bureau, providing a curriculum for Islamic schools, and involving Tsangaya school proprietors in decision-making processes.
Prof. Umar Alkali from the University of Maiduguri presented on the challenges faced by previous reform initiatives, highlighting the need to address integration gaps, maintenance, and funding issues. The stakeholders’ engagement marked a significant step towards reforming the Almajiri and Islamiyya system, with the state government committed to providing support and resources to enhance the education and well-being of its citizens.
The proposed reforms and initiatives aim to provide opportunities for indigenes to pursue higher education and reduce poverty and street begging in the region. With the government’s commitment to working with stakeholders, the reform process is expected to yield positive outcomes, benefiting both the students and the community at large.
